I have two itunes libraries. The oldest, on the family computer, is really a subset of the newer one on my laptop. Though some may view it as excessive, I see it as nessecary. I use both computers when I'm at home, and my ipod is synced to the subset library (as the one on the laptop is pushing 28 GBs). Anyways, here is a somewhat accurate depiction of what I am listening to the most. But five guesses which album I bought around the time I got the lappy....
25. This Love, This Hate - Hollywood Undead
24. Sally's Song - Fiona Apple
23. American Pie - Don McLean
22. Roman's Revenge - Nicki Minaj feat. Eminem
21. Safe In The Dark / Skeleton's Lullaby - Ludo
20. Paradise Lost - Hollywood Undead
19. Bottle and a Gun - Hollywood Undead
18. Rolling In The Deep - Adele
17. White Chords (Forest Swords Remix) - These New Puritans
16. Baby It's Cold Outside - Glee Cast
15. Snake Seer - Blood Warrior
14. Coil - Opeth
13. All The Stars In Texas - Ludo
12. Everywhere I Go - Hollywood Undead
11. I Am Dmitri Karamazov And The World Is My Father - Protest The Hero
10. Alejandro - Lady Gaga
9. Lazy Susan - Sweet Thing
8. Ghost - Fefe Dobson
7. No. 5 - Hollywood Undead
6. The Northern - Alexisonfire
5. Homecoming - Kanye West
4. Conquest - Patti Page
3. Shots - LMFAO feat. Lil Jon
2. The New Workout Plan - Kanye West
1. Anything For You - Ludo
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Bag Raiders - Shooting Stars
Electronic genius is sometimes sitting in the depths of your music library, festering until the moment that it comes on during shuffle. This is exactly what has just happened. I wasn't planning to post until I got home from an outing later today, but as I was finishing up on the family computer, "Shooting Stars" by Bag Raiders came on. It's an old favourite that I've had for a while, compared to the 270-something songs in my Recently Added playlist. I've mentioned a few electronic gods before. Bag Raiders...they are electronic gods.
"Shooting Stars" is, however, electronic for people who dont' like the typical throbbing bass, screaming synths electronic that is nearly impossible to avoid these days. With music that reminds you of the easy level in a Mario game or a hard level in Spyro, it's airy and brings you up into the sky...coincidentally with the shooting stars. There are lyrics, but I think that "Shooting Stars" could stand alone as a purely "instrumental" piece. However, the rising climax (with speed and intensity) ends with beautiful lyrics.
Give my love to the shooting stars because Bag Raiders have this in...well, the bag.
"Shooting Stars" is, however, electronic for people who dont' like the typical throbbing bass, screaming synths electronic that is nearly impossible to avoid these days. With music that reminds you of the easy level in a Mario game or a hard level in Spyro, it's airy and brings you up into the sky...coincidentally with the shooting stars. There are lyrics, but I think that "Shooting Stars" could stand alone as a purely "instrumental" piece. However, the rising climax (with speed and intensity) ends with beautiful lyrics.
Give my love to the shooting stars because Bag Raiders have this in...well, the bag.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Lonely Drifter Karen - A Roof Somewhere
Welcome back, world! After a weekend gone missing, I return with a lovely indie song for you to listen to. In nearly two and a half minutes, Austrian-Spanish-Italian-and-Belgian band Lonely Drifter Karen grabs your attention with a subdued ditty. Requesting the title "roof somewhere" with quick piano chords tapping in the background, this proves that there is more to the indie genre than a slew of male-fronted quintets. Lead chanteuse Tanja Frinta has a voice that I can somewhat compare to a European Sarah McLachlan on a higher register, though really, that means very little.
Lonely Drifter Karen does something unique in "A Roof Somewhere", focusing on neither the vocals or instruments, but weaving both together in some sort of crude symphony. There are the verses, where Ms. Frinta croons over that lovely piano, but the chorus is percussion and more piano-heavy.
Be careful listening; before you know it, the song will have come to an end. All I want is for it to be longer, but do not fret! There is plenty Lonely Drifter Karen out there.
Lonely Drifter Karen does something unique in "A Roof Somewhere", focusing on neither the vocals or instruments, but weaving both together in some sort of crude symphony. There are the verses, where Ms. Frinta croons over that lovely piano, but the chorus is percussion and more piano-heavy.
Be careful listening; before you know it, the song will have come to an end. All I want is for it to be longer, but do not fret! There is plenty Lonely Drifter Karen out there.
Friday, 26 August 2011
to those reading....i know you're out there! stats don't lie!
Being a student, I'm always strapped for cash and my dad has forbidden me from getting a credit card (my name is Laura, and I am a shopaholic). But you! Yes, you! You have a credit card, don't you? No? Well, you're most likely American (most of you reading are!) and possess a check book! Then you can help out, and get some perks in the process!
Go to: http://www.indiegogo.com/Help-Ian-McGlynn-record-his-new-LP-Now-Were-Golden and help out Ian McGlynn, an artist I've featured here before. Donate what you'd like (minimum $10) and get a copy of his album at the least! Though I am deeply saddened that I can't contribute to this, I hope to at least get some others to help. So do me a favor: go to the website, look through the list of perks (some are pretty nice) and donate what you can. If you're unable to, at least spread the word.
Stay awesome.
Go to: http://www.indiegogo.com/Help-Ian-McGlynn-record-his-new-LP-Now-Were-Golden and help out Ian McGlynn, an artist I've featured here before. Donate what you'd like (minimum $10) and get a copy of his album at the least! Though I am deeply saddened that I can't contribute to this, I hope to at least get some others to help. So do me a favor: go to the website, look through the list of perks (some are pretty nice) and donate what you can. If you're unable to, at least spread the word.
Stay awesome.
Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
Firstly, I must apologize for an unannounced absence, but you know how the world is. Thunderstorms roll in, knocking out your internet providor's services...and you're left to find something else to do on days when I probably could be on my laptop all day. As well, I apologize in advance for an absence on Saturday and Sunday, though things will get back to normal on Monday.
How will I make it up to you, the world? Simple. I am sharing one of my many hidden gems; the diamond of my song collection. Fleet Foxes' beautiful, stunning, simplistic indie folk song, "Helplessness Blues." Beginning: I was raised up believing I was somehow unique, like a snowflake distinct among snowflakes, and meek in each way you could see in a nearly a capella fashion, an acoustic guitar is subtly introduced, followed by by slight vocal harmonies. Simplistic, yes, but freaking-amazing-diddly.
This is how music should be done. No computer. Hell, no drums either. And you keep away that damn electric guitar. Here is a song that throws away everything that is wrong with music in this day and shows the world what it's missing. Five minutes of wonder. And there is no need for multiple listens here; I give you one minute before your ears begin to weep.
How will I make it up to you, the world? Simple. I am sharing one of my many hidden gems; the diamond of my song collection. Fleet Foxes' beautiful, stunning, simplistic indie folk song, "Helplessness Blues." Beginning: I was raised up believing I was somehow unique, like a snowflake distinct among snowflakes, and meek in each way you could see in a nearly a capella fashion, an acoustic guitar is subtly introduced, followed by by slight vocal harmonies. Simplistic, yes, but freaking-amazing-diddly.
This is how music should be done. No computer. Hell, no drums either. And you keep away that damn electric guitar. Here is a song that throws away everything that is wrong with music in this day and shows the world what it's missing. Five minutes of wonder. And there is no need for multiple listens here; I give you one minute before your ears begin to weep.
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Fucked Up - Queen of Hearts
On the Canadian MuchMusic channel, they air "recommended" videos within the normal flow of videos. Though I've been within cable since I left school for the summer, I was reunited with my love on vacation, where satellite was provided. The first recommended video I watched was "Queen of Hearts" by Fucked Up, a Canadian hardcore band that I knew a little bit about because of their association with Alexisonfire. I have one of their songs, "David Comes To Life" that I thought was fairly good, but is nothing compared to this epic (and the music video....get yourself to youtube and watch it NOW).
This is a love story intertwined with an industrial setting. Specifically speaking, it is between David, a man coming into a factory, and Veronica, one of the people greeting the newcomers. Who knew that half of a doomed story like this could be beautifully told by screaming, and signing (Veronica's half is sung by a wondrous Madeline Follin). Fucked Up understands the use of contrast in the hardcore genre, and makes a wonderful use of it. I've always been partial to songs like this that use a female vocalist.
No wonder "Queen of Hearts" is recommended. I see myself going out to buy their latest album, coincidentally called "David Comes To Life" as soon as I'm in the city again (as I have little faith in my small-town Wal-Mart, where I had trouble finding Amy Winehouse albums and essentially anything else that's not Top 40 material). So what are you doing there? MuchMusic told you, I told you....LISTEN NOW.
This is a love story intertwined with an industrial setting. Specifically speaking, it is between David, a man coming into a factory, and Veronica, one of the people greeting the newcomers. Who knew that half of a doomed story like this could be beautifully told by screaming, and signing (Veronica's half is sung by a wondrous Madeline Follin). Fucked Up understands the use of contrast in the hardcore genre, and makes a wonderful use of it. I've always been partial to songs like this that use a female vocalist.
No wonder "Queen of Hearts" is recommended. I see myself going out to buy their latest album, coincidentally called "David Comes To Life" as soon as I'm in the city again (as I have little faith in my small-town Wal-Mart, where I had trouble finding Amy Winehouse albums and essentially anything else that's not Top 40 material). So what are you doing there? MuchMusic told you, I told you....LISTEN NOW.
Monday, 22 August 2011
Smod - J’ai Pas Peur Du Micro
Translated: I am not afraid of the microphone.
Another selection from itunes Canada's French song of the week, or chanson de la semaine, "J'ai Pas Peur Du Micro" comes in second only to Ingrid St. Pierre's hauntingly beautiful "Mercure Au Chrome Et P'tits Pansements." Performed by Smod, a trio from Mali, the song is performed entirely in their native language, and the French language has almost never sounded better (see last sentence). French rapping? I'm unfortunately brought back to gradeschool, where we were forced to listen to the educational stylings of Etienne. Smod has restored my faith in this niche genre, and like their francophone comrade Miss St. Pierre, they prove that you need not understand the language to understand the beauty.
Combining hip-hop with African flavor, Smod gives us a new side of a genre that rarely ventures from the same formula. Though I was not able to find the lyrics for translating, it's not crucial for listening. What is then? Movement. This is the kind of song with beats that lift you from your chair and to a floor of some sort that can be used for dancing. It's quite possible that "J'ai Pas Peur Du Micro" has turned me off from English rap. Dear Rap World, try a language other than our expected English. Thank you.
Another selection from itunes Canada's French song of the week, or chanson de la semaine, "J'ai Pas Peur Du Micro" comes in second only to Ingrid St. Pierre's hauntingly beautiful "Mercure Au Chrome Et P'tits Pansements." Performed by Smod, a trio from Mali, the song is performed entirely in their native language, and the French language has almost never sounded better (see last sentence). French rapping? I'm unfortunately brought back to gradeschool, where we were forced to listen to the educational stylings of Etienne. Smod has restored my faith in this niche genre, and like their francophone comrade Miss St. Pierre, they prove that you need not understand the language to understand the beauty.
Combining hip-hop with African flavor, Smod gives us a new side of a genre that rarely ventures from the same formula. Though I was not able to find the lyrics for translating, it's not crucial for listening. What is then? Movement. This is the kind of song with beats that lift you from your chair and to a floor of some sort that can be used for dancing. It's quite possible that "J'ai Pas Peur Du Micro" has turned me off from English rap. Dear Rap World, try a language other than our expected English. Thank you.
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